Do we know and experience in our own lives the
gift and power of the Holy Spirit? Jesus said to them, Receive the Holy
Spirit! (John 20:22) Jesus knew that his disciples would need the power of
the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them. The gift of the
Holy Spirit was conditional upon the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of
the Father. That is why Jesus instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem
until you are clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Why did they need
power from on high? The Gospels tell us that Jesus was filled with the Holy
Spirit when he was baptized at the Jordan River:
Just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit at
the beginning of his ministry, so the disciples needed the anointing of the
Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them by Jesus. The Holy
Spirit is given to all who are baptized into Jesus Christ to enable us to live
a new way of life - a life of love, peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans
14:17). The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the love of God (Romans 5:7), and
he gives us the strength and courage we need in order to live as faith-filled
disciples of the Lord Jesus. The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26),
and enables us to grow in spiritual freedom - freedom from doubt, fear, and from
slavery to our unruly desires (2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:21). The Spirit
instructs us in the ways of God, and guides us in living according to God's
will. The Spirit is the source and giver of all holiness. Isaiah foretold the
seven-fold gifts that the Spirit would give: wisdom, understanding, counsel,
fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
The gift of Pentecost - the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit, and the spiritual gifts and blessings of God - are made possible
through the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. After his
resurrection Jesus "breathed" on his disciples and gave them the Holy
Spirit. Just as God breathed life into Adam, so the gift of the Holy Spirit is
an impartation of "new life" for his people. With the gift of
the Holy Spirit a new creation begins. God recreates us for his glory. Jesus'
gift of peace to his disciples was more than an absence of trouble. His peace
included the forgiveness of sins and the fullness of everything good. Basil the
Great (329-379 AD), an early church.
The Lord Jesus offers each one of us the gift
and power of his Holy Spirit. He wants to make our faith strong, give us hope
that endures, and a love that never grows cold. He never refuses to give his
Spirit to those who ask with expectant faith. Jesus instructed his disciples to
ask confidently for the gift of the Spirit: "If you then, who are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly
Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13).
Wishing you blessings on this great feast and
a good week ahead.
Please remember Fr. Noel’s farewell reception
next Sunday, June 15th, after the 12 noon Mass! There will
presentations and speeches beginning at 2 pm. I hope to see you there!
Fr. Phil
